Chris Graham
July 29, 2018
Have you ever heard of Hwa Rang Do? It’s a martial art which evolved in Korea during the 1960s and is very popular in America … and it’s now available in the South Burnett!
Volunteer Chris Graham is taking classes at the South Burnett PCYC in Murgon on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00pm.
Chris, who has been teaching in the city, recently attended the first Hwa Rang Do grading of the year in Brisbane.
Many of his former students were present and were presented with their Black Belts in Hwa Rang Do and Kukkiwon (Taekwondo).
“These students have had many years of training in Hwa Rang Do with me and other qualified Hwa Rang Do instructors in Brisbane,” Chris said.
There are usually two gradings a year for students to attain higher levels.
Grading is consistent regardless of age.
White belts are graded on their ability to perform basic movements, including front kick, high rising kick and free sparring.
Yellow belts perform these tasks and others such as one-step sparring.
Blue belts become more adept at self-defence techniques.
Red belts must demonstrate an understanding of advanced kicking, such as jumping kicks, and be able to demonstrate effective self-defence and one-step sparring before they will be invited to attempt a black belt grading.
“All in all (it was) a very inspiring weekend,” Chris said.
“And no doubt I will be in attendance for the next grading sometime around November.
“I hope to once again take students to another grading, only this time they could be country kids like myself that are interested in the martial arts.”
For more information, call Chris on 0412-843-553.
